By Conall Collier

Keelin Dodd’s 86th-minute Women’s FAI Cup first-round penalty goal ultimately proved crucial as DLR Waves edged out Sligo Rovers by the odd goal in five at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

The windy conditions made it difficult for the players, but a high-tempo encounter was delivered as a brave Bit O’Red revival in the closing 10 minutes was thwarted by a relieved DLR side.

Goals either side of the interval from Dodd and Amber Cosgrove gave DLR a platform for victory, but Mairead McIntyre pulled one back for the hosts on 82 minutes.

However, referee Michael Connolly awarded a penalty to DLR Waves in the 86th minute that Dodd converted, but Rovers displayed tremendous resolve with a 92nd-minute Anna McDaniel goal.

DLR ‘keeper Eve Badana then made a superb save to keep out an equaliser, but she collided with the post, and that halted play as she received attention, and that was sufficient to break the late Rovers momentum.

The Bit O’Red started the first half positively and dominated the opening exchanges with Sarah Kiernan thundering a sixth-minute header off the crossbar.

Anna McDaniel created an opening soon after, but the danger was averted at the expense of a corner, and then Emma Hansberry saw her effort fly over the bar.

After absorbing the early pressure, DLR Waves settled into the game and created a number of chances, with Cliodhna Donnelly twice going close before Keelin Dodd headed the Dublin women into a 42nd-minute lead for a 1-0 interval advantage.

Both teams gave 100 per cent in the second half as the play flowed from end to end, with Muireann Devaney going close for the hosts on a couple of occasions before the frantic final 10 minutes produced those three goals and a quarter-final ticket for the Dublin women.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Sarah Kiernan, Keeva Flynn, Alice Lillie, Alana Doherty, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Eimear Lafferty, Kya McKenna, Muireann Devaney, Anna McDaniel.
Subs – Mairead McIntyre for McKenna and Paula McGrory for Kelly both 63 mins, Cara King for Doherty and Roise Burke for Lafferty both 76 mins.

DLR Waves – Eve Badana; Leah Donnelly, Chloe McCarthy, Keelin Dodd, Jess Gleeson, Rachel Doyle, Neema Nyangasi, Amber Cosgrove, Cliodhna Donnelly, Michelle Doonan, Eve Conheady.
Subs – A Meehan for Nyangasi and A Brophy for Cosgrove both 61 mins, C Richardson for Doyle 73 mins, T White for Doonan 86 mins.

Referee – Michael Connolly.
Assistant referees – Thomas Joyce, Alan Dunne.
Fourth official – Darren Corcoran.